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To: sheltonmac
What are the non-dogmatic issues of the RC church? Papal infallibility? The perpetual virginity of Mary or the celibacy of Joseph? Our obligation to pray to Mary? Transubstantiation? Purgatory? A celibate priesthood? I don't know which of these are dogmatic and which are non-dogmatic as far as Catholics are concerned, but I do know that none are supported by Scripture.

Priestly celibacy is not a dogma. It is merely a practice. It is not somethign we believe is revealed as a truth which all must ascribe to. Rather, it is merely our way of doing things.

You may be unaware, but there exist entire branches of the One Catholic Church which have priests who are married. Not in this country, but in the East. We couldn't very well do that if it was a dogmatic belief that priests must be celibate, right?

As for the rest, your wording about Mary aside (who considers having someone to pray with you an "obligation"? Do you feel "obliged" to pray with your fellow Christians? Is it a burden?), the rest are indeed dogmatic beliefs.

An example of an open area that is not dogmatic is the question of what happens to infants who die prior to being baptised.

SD

27 posted on 11/04/2003 7:58:39 AM PST by SoothingDave
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To: SoothingDave; sheltonmac
Actually, (and I'm sure SD knew this) there are married priests in this country, also. But they are the result of a wierd canon-law twist regarding married Episcopalian priests who convert to Catholicism... they are allowed to be Catholic priests.
64 posted on 11/04/2003 9:57:58 AM PST by dangus
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